A new way to get on the lift

[Lisamarie]

Been on one in Bormio. It's a strange sensation, but definitely a good idea!

 

[OuiSkiToo]

Yes - it is awkward. I was on one in Switzerland a few times and just remember having a tough time keeping my feet from wanting to move!

 

[Jenny]

Boyne Mountain is debuting theirs this year.

 

[Brooklyn Skier]

Mechanized loading and unloading carpets

This would be good at the top of Killington's Superstar Express Quad. I was up last weekend and this lift was closed on Sat. On Sun I waited on a line in which when I got towards the front, the workers said everyone now had to split up into 3s instead of 4s because of weight restrictions!? The lift was very slow that day and I got to the top with wind pushing hard in the opposite direction of how you normally get off. It was also very flat which didn't help. Well before I knew it I was off the lift but couldn't more forward fast enough to have the lift of people behind me have the same problem which let to all of us knocking over like dominos all while people are yelling at the boy in the booth to stop the lift. By the time the 3rd chair of people fell on top of me and the carnage a person no longer on skiis walked up to the window and banged on it. When the boy came out we all yelled at him. I think he had headphones on and was in his own little world. At the bottom people were still complaining about it. I went up again and saw they had 2 staff now assisting everyone off the lifts and a 3rd standing in front to help pull people forward. It was windy and maybe a machanized unloading carpet would be useful up there and on other mnts where it is flat and bald at the top...esp in windy wintry conditions.

Looking back on that situation I can laugh hard for as long as I've been skiing that that moment, well, I got owned by the chair lift. :D:D:ROTF:

 

[RachelV]

(Hey, someone else from NYC! Welcome! )

 

[MaineSkiLady]

GREAT description! Hope everyone was okay! Sounds like a segment in an old Warren Miller movie :D I'm wondering if there will be similar pile-ups this weekend at Sunday River (Maine), which grandly opens its 6-pack/gondola combo a/k/a "chondola." Sure hope they have a sign at the bottom telling beginners "no super-easy way down!" Otherwise....

 

[ski now work later]

I skied this lift at Okemo on Tuesday. Very wierd. Fine for me, but I think very unnerving and scary for a beginner, especially getting off the lift. Time will tell I guess...

 

[WildKitten]

We were forced to use the magic carpet Mon at Okemo as they had the other beginner lift closed. I didn't care for it when I was getting off. I felt very off balance and whobbly when I stood up. I guess that it's something I'd get used to if I had to. That afternoon I was in Shon's boot shop in Ludlow and the topic came up. I wasn't the only skier that day not enthralled about it. Hopefully when we return to Okemo after the holidays there will be enough snow that we can bypass the beginner lifts entirely and ski directly to the Sachem lift from our trail.

 

[cinnabon]

This would be good at the top of Killington's Superstar Express Quad. I was up last weekend and this lift was closed on Sat. On Sun I waited on a line in which when I got towards the front, the workers said everyone now had to split up into 3s instead of 4s because of weight restrictions!? The lift was very slow that day and I got to the top with wind pushing hard in the opposite direction of how you normally get off. It was also very flat which didn't help. Well before I knew it I was off the lift but couldn't more forward fast enough to have the lift of people behind me have the same problem which let to all of us knocking over like dominos all while people are yelling at the boy in the booth to stop the lift. By the time the 3rd chair of people fell on top of me and the carnage a person no longer on skiis walked up to the window and banged on it. When the boy came out we all yelled at him. I think he had headphones on and was in his own little world. At the bottom people were still complaining about it. I went up again and saw they had 2 staff now assisting everyone off the lifts and a 3rd standing in front to help pull people forward. It was windy and maybe a machanized unloading carpet would be useful up there and on other mnts where it is flat and bald at the top...esp in windy wintry conditions.

Looking back on that situation I can laugh hard for as long as I've been skiing that that moment, well, I got owned by the chair lift. :D:D:ROTF:

The only do the weight restrictions when it's super windy, and yes that lift gets that headwind where you need to push yourself forward with your poles when you unload. You're lucky they didn't just close it, like they often do. It's such a hassle getting to that side of the mountain (Skye Peak) when SS is closed.